The coastal waters of Rote Ndao, Indonesia’s southernmost island, are home to one of the most important habitats for dugongs (Dugong dugon) in the Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS). Although these gentle marine mammals have become increasingly rare across much of their range, coastal communities in Rote Ndao continue to share valuable knowledge about where dugongs live, feed, and migrate. This local ecological knowledge is now helping guide future conservation efforts. 

From 14–21 June 2026, the ATSEA Program, through the Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Initiative (DSCI) supported by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, conducted a comprehensive Local Knowledge Survey across Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara. Implemented in collaboration with Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional/BRIN), the Kupang Coastal and Marine Resources Management Office, Nusa Cendana University, and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), the initiative combined community knowledge with scientific approaches to better understand dugong distribution and seagrass ecosystems. 

Building local capacity

Before field surveys began, ATSEA and its partners organised a two-day training on the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Dugong Questionnaire to strengthen the capacity of survey teams. Participants received practical instruction on standardised interview techniques, participatory mapping, digital data collection using KoboCollect, and genetic sampling procedures for stranded dugongs. Beyond ensuring consistent data collection, the training also strengthened local capacity to respond to future marine mammal stranding events and support long-term conservation activities. 

Using the CMS Dugong Questionnaire, the trained surveyor interviewed 104 respondents (97 men and 7 women) across the 12 coastal villages, including fishers, village leaders, seaweed farmers, and other community members. 

Following the survey, the team also conducted community awareness sessions in the same villages, engaging 154 community members (134 men and 20 women). The sessions introduced Indonesia’s regulations on Endangered, Threatened, and Protected (ETP) marine species, highlighted the ecological importance of dugongs and seagrass ecosystems, and explained appropriate procedures for responding to marine mammal strandings. These discussions encouraged local participation while strengthening understanding of marine conservation. 

Dugongs still thrive in key habitats

Survey findings confirmed that dugongs continue to inhabit several coastal areas of Rote Ndao. Survey respondents consistently identified Mulut Seribu as one of Rote Ndao’s most important dugong habitats, with Horeo, Kare, and Tongga, Pukuafu and Mayoe frequently mentioned. In the western cluster, respondents recognised the waters surrounding Nuse Island, Pulau Dengka, and Ndao Island as equally important dugong habitat. Reports of sightings as recent as one to two weeks before the survey indicate that dugongs continue to regularly use these productive coastal waters.

Interviewees also described extensive seagrass meadows throughout the survey area and demonstrated detailed knowledge of dugong feeding ecology. Many respondents explained that dugongs preferentially graze on short seagrass species such as Halophila spp. and Syringodium spp., observations that closely match current scientific understanding of dugong feeding behaviour. 

Beyond dugongs, respondents frequently reported encounters with sea turtles, dolphins, and whales, reinforcing the area’s importance as habitat for multiple ETP marine species. 

Understanding the past to shape the future

The survey also captured valuable insights into how community attitudes towards dugongs have changed over time. While respondents recalled that dugong hunting was relatively common during the 1980s and 1990s, nearly all communities reported that these practices have largely disappeared following stronger legal protection and increased public awareness.

At the same time, the survey documented ongoing pressures on coastal ecosystems, including occasional consumption of sea turtles and turtle eggs, isolated cases of dugong consumption involving stranded or accidentally caught animals, and reports of destructive fishing practices in several locations.

These findings demonstrate local ecological knowledge provides insights that extend beyond species distribution. It also offers valuable insights into historical practices, cultural values, and current conservation challenges that can help shape effective management strategies.

A stronger foundation for future conservation

The Local Knowledge Survey marks the beginning of a broader scientific effort under the DSCI. Information gathered through community interviews will guide ecological surveys, habitat mapping, participatory monitoring, and genetic connectivity research across the ATS. 

Equally important, the initiative has strengthened the capacity of researchers, government agencies, universities, and Fisheries Extension Officers to continue this work into the future. By combining scientific methods with local ecological knowledge, the ATSEA Program and its partners are building a stronger foundation for the long-term conservation of dugongs and seagrass ecosystems in the ATS region.

This article is published on IW:Learn

By Ismail Syakurachman